The Child God Gave

"Give me a little child To draw this dreary want out of my breast," I cried to God. "Give, for my days beat wild With loneliness that will not rest But under the still sod!"

It came--with groping lips And little fingers stealing aimlessly About my heart. I was like one who slips A-sudden into Ecstasy And thinks ne'er to depart.

"Soon he will smile," I said, "And babble baby love into my ears-- How it will thrill!" I waited--Oh, the dread, The clutching agony, the fears!-- He was so strange and still.

Did I curse God and rave When they came shrinkingly to tell me 'twas A witless child? No ... I ... I only gave One cry ... just one ... I think ... because ... You know ... he never smiled.